Dos and don'ts for tourists in Japan

Greeting people in Japan is so much more than just saying ‘konnichiwa’ and can be fraught with complications. Here's how to use different greetings in a variety of potentially awkward social situations

Bidding someone goodbye in Japan isn't as easy as a simple wave of the hand: there are different 'goodbyes' for different situations

Chopsticks: the only cutlery you'll ever need in Tokyo and Japan. Just stick to these rules when using your hashi and you'll do just fine

Master these cycling rules and etiquette before conquering the Tokyo streets on your favourite bicycle

Here are some basic courtesy rules that bear repeating and will help you not to stand out for the wrong reasons... 

Japan is an etiquette-driven society from the cradle to the grave, and paying for things is no exception.

Shinto and Buddhism have generally coexisted happily in Japan for centuries but to the uninitiated it can be difficult to tell your shrines from your temples...

Queuing in Japan is an art form. Everyone says ‘the Japanese just love queuing,’ but it is more than that...

Ah, the Japanese toilet, that most perfect of inventions. Stars of many a ‘should I?’ Instagram post, our high-tech washlets are a cut above...

When in Japan, do as the Japanese do. In this case, we’re referring particularly to drinking – and the culture of ‘nomikai’ (work drinking party). Nomikai is an integral part of the Japanese workplace...

No matter how long you’ve been in Tokyo, dealing with things over the telephone often seems harder than it should be. Put your manners on the line with our guide to the dos and don’ts of dialling...

There are also quite a few written and unwritten rules of train-taking that, if followed, make everyone’s journey more comfortable, less frustrating and simply better. 

As you may have heard, gift-giving is a big deal in Japan and, when it comes to etiquette, there is no give and take. To avoid rifts when exchanging gifts, here's what you need to know...

Congratulations, you’ve been invited to a Japanese wedding! Now, after the first giddiness has receded, it’s time to think about how you’re going to get through it without making a culturally insensitive fool of yourself...

Having been raised in a family that always kept dogs, not having a pet was one of the things I missed most about home when I moved to Japan...